Rachel Nichols could be promoted to a series regular on the crime procedural Criminal Minds.

The actress was initially lined up to appear in three episodes, but Deadline reports that Nichols is in discussions for her role to be upgraded.

Nichols, having previously played Rachel Gibson on Alias, will make her first appearance on the show later this season as FBI cadet Ashley Seaver.

Meanwhile, producers of the drama have approached Paget Brewster, who plays Emily Prentiss on the drama, with the view of reinstating her status as a full series regular after she was told she would only appear in 17 episodes this season.